Wild Turkey by Audubon, John James - 1827

London: Robert Havell, Jr., 1827. THE MOST FAMOUS AMERICAN NATURAL HISTORY IMAGE Approximate plate size: 39" x 261/2" Approximate frame size: 491/2" x 37" All works are first-edition, aquatint engravings with original hand-color Published in London between 1827 and 1838 by Robert Havell, Jr. The "Wild Turkey" is widely considered the crowning achievement of Audubon's monumental Birds of America. The turkey is distinct from any European species and so ubiquitous that Benjamin Franklin had proposed it as the American national symbol, preferring it to the eagle. Not only is the symbolism of the Wild Turkey significant, but artistically, it is perhaps Audubon's masterpiece. The first plate to be engraved for Audubon's Birds of America, more care was lavished on its production than any other illustration. Audubon recorded detailed and insightful observations about the species, and expressed a distinct admiration for the creature through his writings. Lizars' masterful skills in copperplate engraving add an especially detailed and precise aspect to the image, enhancing its appearance of three-dimensionality. This particular example is even more remarkable because it is one of only roughly ten that were printed by Lizars. After Havell took over the project, he printed 250 more examples that retained Lizars' name on the plate. Those actually issued by the Scottish printer are among the most desirable, and even more distinguished for their extreme rarity. from the Sax Meningen set.. First Edition. Book.